Russian state should continue to control backbone oil pipelines

Jul 08, 2004 02:00 AM

Management and control over backbone oil pipelines should remain a state function, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail
Fradkov told ministers at the Cabinet meeting.
Fradkov said that the government would make a decision on the construction of a pipeline on the eastern route and
consider the construction of a pipeline linking Western Siberia with the Barents Sea.

The government should consider the issue of boosting export capacities to increase Russian oil and gas exports to
Europe, Fradkov added. The next stage of the Baltic Pipeline System will help achieve this target.
The southern transportation routes are also of high priority. Russia should elaborate its strategy for gas exports,
Fradkov stressed. This issue covers the construction of the Northern European Pipeline, among others.